The chairwoman of the English Department and her son shared tales from their trip last winter break to the Middle East with students.

Ruth Shulby and her son Wesley, a 2004 La Quinta High graduate, flew more than 23 hours to the United Arab Emirate states of Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Bahrain, located along the southern coast of the Persian Gulf.

The two visited with Shulby's niece and her husband, whose mother reportedly lives down the street from Bahrain's first lady, Shaikha Sabika.

Shulby said they were treated like royalty, that they had their own personal driver and stayed in posh hotels.

A few of their stops included The Grand Mosque, also known as Al-Jumeirah, The Emirates Palace, and the resort Palm Jumeirah, a manmade palm-shaped structure that displays 16 huge fronds framed by a 12-kilometer protective barrier.

They also toured the Atlantis: The Lost Chamber exhibit and the largest water park in the Middle East, the thrilling Aquaventure. Other remarkable tours included the Etislat Tower; the Burj al Arab Hotel, a seven-star luxury hotel that looks like a billowing sail in Dubai; and seeing ground zero of the world's tallest building (under construction at 162 stories, 2,684 feet); the Burj Dubai, recently featured on The Amazing Race.

Shopping and skiing at the indoor resort at the Mall of the Emirates were other highlights. But, topping off their Middle East adventure was an Arabian safari, complete with camel rides, “sandblasting” (driving and skiing down 100-foot powdery sand dunes), henna tattoos, belly-dancing and drinking authentic Arabic coffee.

In stark contrast to the expensive cars and high-end fashion, Shulby said she couldn't help but sympathize with the forlorn faces of busloads of immigrants she saw being transported from the not-so-distant desert camps to work on the ever-expanding commercial skyscrapers, malls and monorails that the area boasts.

The trip was truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience, she said.